José Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK), has been a constant force in supporting the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires and frontline workers. In addition to his efforts, actress Jennifer Garner volunteered her time to assist with the organization’s work on January 10, helping distribute meals to families and workers affected by the fires.
During an event at the Cayman Cookout, held at The Ritz Carlton in Grand Cayman, Andrés shared how working with Garner felt like teaming up with an old friend, despite having never met before. He expressed admiration for her initiative, saying, “I did not have to tell her what to do because she’ll always find something to do on her own.” He went on to describe how Garner’s compassionate actions—like giving hugs to disaster victims—had a profound impact. Andrés emphasized the psychological importance of such gestures, which he believes can deeply comfort individuals who have lost everything.
Andrés also expressed appreciation for everyone who helped with the relief efforts, even if only for an hour, noting that celebrities, in particular, showed up in places without cameras, making their contributions even more meaningful. This could be seen as a subtle response to the criticism Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced when their wildfire relief efforts were heavily photographed, with some questioning whether their involvement was motivated by a desire for publicity. Andrés was quick to praise the royal couple for their genuine efforts, making it clear that they, like Garner, helped without seeking attention.
Garner, in an interview with NBC News, admitted to using her “celebrity privilege” to help the WCK cause, saying that it was important to her to do something hands-on. She reached out to Andrés directly to offer her assistance, and he welcomed her with open arms, highlighting the importance of people coming together to make a difference during crises.